Carrying case latching or locking device



Nav. 8, 1949 e. E. SWANSON 2,487,493

CARRYING CASE LATCHING OR LOCKING DEVICE Filed June 27, 1947 '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

YGUNNAR E.$WANSON.

Affomqy e. E. SWANSON 2,487,493

CARRYING CASE LATGHING 0R LOCKING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 8, 1949 Filed June 27, 1947 Fi l9 Fiq. Z2 04 |z4g 3 I06 I08 '02. 1' I08 .02

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24i F iq Z5 Fiq 27 INVENTOR.

i 26 BY GUNNAR E.SWAN50N Afforncy Nov.8, 1949 e. E. swANsoN CARRYING CASE LATCHING OR LOCKING DEVICE Filed June 27, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 INVENTOR.

M y M a J/ +l "M d U G V. B

Patented Nov. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,487,493 CARRYING CASE LA'ro 31 Claims.

The invention relates to a latching or locking device for use on a carrying case or suitcase or trunk or chest or any other similar container. The device comprises a main unit and a strike,

one adapted to be secured to the cover of thecase adjacent the body and the other adapted to be mounted on the body adjacent the cover. Preferably, the main unit is on the cover and the strike is on the body.

The general object of the invention is to provide a simple compact and inexpensive latching or locking device which can be readily applied. In. accordance with the invention there is a cylinder which is movable rearward to move a latching bolt out of latching relationship with the strike, and the cylinder is rotatable to either of two rotatably different positions in one of which it is locked to prevent rearward unlatching movement and .in the other of which it ism;

unlocked to permit rearward unlatching movement and forward relatching movement. .A device embodying the invention is of the type wherein release of the latch is effected by press- ='ing the cylinder rearward and wherein lockings and unlocking is accomplished by turning the cylinder by means of the key, and which is characterized by having only the front faces of the cylinder and housing, and of the guard when provided, exposed to view at the front of the? 'case. a

vantageous' features which will be set forth in detail. It'will be understood that changes may be made from the constructions shown and that,

the drawings are not to be construed as defining" or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming part of the specification being relied upon for that purpose.

of the drawings: Fig. 1 is a front view of a latching or locking device embodying the invention.

Fig. 21s, a vertical sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and including portions of the cover and body of the; carrying case on which the'device is applied, this view showing the cyl- HING QR LOCKING VICE Gunnar E. Swanson, New Britain, Conn. Application Junej27, 1947, Serial No. 757,603

inder and guard in elevation and showing the cylinder as it appears prior to its final connection with the latching bolt.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken looking upward along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and showing the cylinder and guard in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the cylinder and hous- Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the cylinder taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, the housing being shown in elevation.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the cylinder and housing taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a rear view of the attaching plate.

Fig. 8 is a rear view of the latching bolt.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the strike.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the cy1- inder and housing taken along the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but omitting the body of the case and the strike, this view showing the cylinder firmly secured to the latching bolt.

Fig. 12 is a rear view of the device with the cylinder and latching bolt in engagement as shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. an alternative construction.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of an alternative hous- -ing,-cylinder and guard subassembly, the rear portions of the housing and cylinder being modified for use in the device shown in Figs. 15 and 16.

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 11, this view being taken along the line I5|5 of Fig. 16 and showing an alternative latching or locking device embodying the invention and including the housing, cylinder and guard subassembly as. shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a rear view of the device shown in Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a rear view of the latching bolt 12 but showing shown in Figs. 15 and 16. 45

Figs. 18 and 18A are rear and side views respectively of the retaining washer, shown in Figs. 15 and 16.

Fig. 19 is a front view similar to,Fig. 1 but showing another alternative latching or lockin device embodying the invention.

Fig. 20 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figs. 11 and 15 but taken along the line -20 of Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is a rear view of the device shown in Figs. 19 and 20.

Figs. 22 and 23 are plan and rear views respectively of the latching bolt shown in Figs. 19, 20 and 21.

Fig. 24 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 24-24 of Fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is a rear view of the attaching plate shown in Figs. 19, 20 and 21.

Fig. 26 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 26-26 of Fig. 25.

Figs. 2'? and 28 are rear and side views respectively of the retaining washer shown in Figs. 20 and 21.

Fig. 29 is a view similar to Fig. 20 but showing the cylinder in its unlocked position and moved rearward to effect unlatching. I

Fig. 30 is a view similar to Fig. 20 but showing the automatic movement of the latching bolt to effect relatching with the cylinder in locked position.

Fig. 31 is a front View similar to Fig. 1, but showing another alternative latching or locking device embodying the invention.

Fig. 32 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but taken along the line 3232 of Fig. 31.

Fig. 33 is a rear view of the device shown in Figs. 31 and 32.

Fig. 34 is a horizontal sectional view taken looking upward along the line 34-34 of Fig. 32 and along the line 34-34 of Fig. 35.

Fig. 35 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 35-35 of Fig. 34.

Figs. 36, 37 and 38 are plan, rear and bottom views respectively of the rear cover plate.

Fig. 39 is a rear view of the attaching plate.

Fig. 40 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 40-40 of Fig. 39.

Fig. 41 is a view similar to Fig. 34 but showing the parts in unlatching positions, this view being taken along the line 4!, 4| of Fig. 42.

Fig. 42 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 4242 of Fig. 41.

Figs. 1 to 12 A latching or locking device embodying the invention as shown particularly in Figs. 1 to 12 is adapted for use on a carrying case or other similar enclosure, the case including two separable members such as a cover Ill and a body 12, as shown in Fig. 2. The cover I!) has a horizontal aperture for receiving a housing 14 which is held in fixed position by means to be described and which has an annular flange at the front. The housing I4 extends longitudinally in a direction perpendicular to the direction of separation of the members 10 and I2.

Fitted within the housing l4 so as to be rotatably and longitudinally movable therein is a cylinder I 6. Preferably, the cylinder I 6 islocated off-center so as to provide a relatively thick wall at the top of the housing for receiving a pin 58 on which a guard 29 is pivotally mounted. The guard 22 is shown in its upper position. but this may be swung down to cover the front of the housing and cylinder. The inner end of the pin 18 extends into an aperture 22 in the top of the housing and is bent to form a hook 24 which engages the rear end of a coil spring 26. The spring 26 is positioned in an annular recess in the housing near the front thereof and surrounding the cylinder 16. The spring 26 presses at the front against an annular flange 21 on the cylinder, this flange extending into the annular recess in the. housing. The spring 26 thus serves to bias the cylinder for forward movement. Inasmuch as the spring 26 is connected with the hook on the pivot pin l8 for the cover, it serves not only to press the cylinder forward but also to press the pivot pin rearward so as to apply a frictional force to the cover which tends to hold it in any position to which it may have been moved.

The cylinder l6 has two rotatively different positions, in one of which it is prevented from being moved rearward and in the other of which it can be so moved. The cylinder is provided with a substantially semi-annular groove 28 which is at the bottom, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 10 and 11, when the cylinder is in position to be held against longitudinal movement. This groove has a plane rear face and a helical or inclined front face, as shown in Fig. 3. The housing 14 is provided with an inward projecting lug 30 which is at the left side, as viewed in Figs. 1 and by the spring 26.

in the position shown in Fig. 3, it cannot be appreciably moved longitudinally as the lug 30 engages the rear face of the groove 28 and is closely adjacent the helical or inclined front face thereof. However, when the cylinder is turned through 180 the lug 30 is in the wider part of the groove 28 and the cylinder can be moved rearward to the extent permitted by the width of the groove.

An important advantage of the construction shown is that the annular spring receiving recess in the housing and the longitudinal space of the semi-annular groove 28 in the cylinder are both near the front and are to a substantial extent in register with each other. This effects a considerable economy of space, and makes it possible for the housing and cylinder to be relatively short.

The cylinder 16 is provided with conventional wafer tumblers 32. 32 which are spring-pressed, and which can be withdrawn from their projecting positions by means of a key inserted in a key slot 34. The ends of the tumblers can project into a tumbler slot 36 at the bottom of the housing, as shown in Fig. 2, or into a similar tumbler slot 38 at the top of the housing.

In order that the cylinder may be assembled with the housing in the rearward direction, the

- cylinder is provided with a longitudinal groove 40 of such size that it can receive the lug 30 on the housing as the cylinder moves rearward. During preliminary assembly the guard 20 and the pivot pin l8 therefor are positioned on the housing l4 and the inner end of the pin is bent to form the hook 24. The spring 26 is then engaged with the hook and is located within the annular recess in the housing. Thereafter the cylinder I]; with the tumblers 32, 32 and their springs in place therein are inserted in the housing 14 from the front. For convenience a correct .key is inserted in the key slot 34 so as to hold the tumblers 32, 32 within the periphery of the cylinder. The cylinder is positioned with the groove 40 therein in register with the lug 30 on the housing and thus the cylinder can be freely moved rearward. After-the cylinder has been fully inserted, it is turned by the key in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 10, so as to bring the groove 40 in the cylinder out of register with the lug 30 on the housing and so as to bring the tumblers 32, 32 into register with the top tumbler recess 38. The cylinder is then positioned approximately 180 from the position shown in Figs. 3 and 10. The key is then withdrawn and the tumblers are permitted to project into the said top recess, relative forward movement of the cylinder being then prevented by reason of engagement of the lug 3 0 with the rear face of the groove '28. The key can then be withdrawn and the cylinder, housing and guard are held in subassembly for subsequent application to the cover of the case and union with other parts.

As shown in Fig. 3, the housing I4 is provided with two opposite vertical grooves 42, 42 these grooves having flat parallel inner faces. The position of the grooves is such that, when application is made in the cover of the case, the front faces of the grooves 42, 42 are located close to the rear face of the cover.

A fastening plate 44 is provided having a vertical slot 46 therein for embracing the housing, the opposite parallel edges of the slot being spaced apart by a distance substantially the same as the distance between the inner faces of the grooves 42, 42 in the housing. The portions 48, 4B of the plate 44 adjacent the edges of the slot 46 are offset in the rearward direction as shown in Fig. 3, the extent of the offset gradually increasing from the top to approximately the point of final contact with the cylinder. When the housing and cylinder assembly has been put in place in the cover of the case, the fastening plate 44 is assembled therewith by movement in the upward direction, the offset portions 48, 48 of the plate entering the grooves 42, 42 and wedging against the rear faces thereof. The edges of the slot 46 engage the inner faces of the grooves 42, 42 to prevent the housing from turning relatively to the fastening plate. When the fastening plate is in place, it is secured bymeans of nails or rivets 50, 50 extending into the cover of the case. The fastening plate serves to hold the housing not only against rotary movement, but also against forward movement. Rearward movement of the housing is prevented by the before-mentioned flange at the front thereof.

The rear portion of the cylinder which projects beyond the housing is flattened at the sides so as to provide shoulders 52, 52 as indicated in "Figs. 4 and 5. A transverse slot 54 is provided in the rear part of the cylinder 16, this slot being preferably horizontal when the cylinder is in locked position, as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5. As the result of the slot, the shoulders 52, 52 have separated upper and lower portions. The slot is preferably somewhat below the center of the cylinder, so as to provide a bendable dogging le'g which is shown as being below the slot. The cylinder is provided with a transverse notch which is at the top when the cylinder is in the position shown, this notch being immediately behind the rear of the housing 14 and being diametrically opposite the toe. of the dogging leg.

A latching bolt is provided which is associated ,with the cylinder and is adapted to engage-the:

Fig. 3.

portion of the cylinder between the upper and lower portions of the shoulders 52, 52. Preferably, the latching bolt 56 has tongues 59, 59 which are at the sides of the aperture 58 and which initially project rearward as shown in After the housing, cylinder and guard sub} assembly has been secured in place bymeans of the fastening plate 44, as already described, the latching bolt 56 is placed on the projecting rear portion of the cylinder so that the said rear portion extends through the aperture 58, the upper edge of the aperture 58 fitting into the beforedescribed transverse notch in the cylinder. To facilitate application of the latching bolt to the cylinder, a portion thereof immediately adjacent the aperture 58 is bent rearward to a slight ex tent as indicated at 60 in Figs. 2 and-8. The aforesaid transverse notch in the cylinder is shaped to conform to the said rearward bent portion 69 of the latching bolt.

By this complementary relationship the extent 'of the bending of the dogging leg of the cylinder essential for retaining the latching bolt thereto is confined by the relative size of the aperture 58 which is limited to that necessary for passing over the end of the cylinder. This is accomplished by first tilting the latching bolt 56 rearward and slid- 'ing the bent portion 60 of the aperture 58 into the transverse notch of the cylinder, which allows the opposite edge 51 of the aperture 58 to clear the toe of the dogging leg as the latching bolt is brought to a perpendicular relation with the cylinder. To tilt the bolt rearward as described it is necessary that the cylinder be in unlocked relation and moved to its rearward position, thus preventing interference by the housing as the latching bolt is tilted. With the bolt thus tilted the aperture 58 is placed over the cylinder end so as to bring the bent portion 6!! adjacent the transverse notch in the cylinder, thus positioning the bolt for sliding the bent portion 60 into the transverse notch in the cylinder; Thereafter the bolt can be brought to its perpendicular position as shown in Fig. 2, the bolt then also being in contact with the shoulders 52, 52.

With the latching bolt in the said perpendicular "position the rear end of the dogging" leg of Y the cylinder extends into the aperture 58 in the bolt. The cylinder isthen spread by means of a wedge inserted in the slot 54, the dogging leg of the cylinder adjacent the slot 54 being bent transversely to the relative position shown in Fig. 11 so as to cause the toe of the doggingleg to engage the edge of the aperture 58 which is opposite the bent portion 60. The dogging leg of the cylinder is recessed at 6| at the bottom as indicated so as to facilitate bending and provide ample clearance in the housing for the downward bending of the leg. Thus the latching bolt is firmly secured in place on the cylinder, being engaged in the transverse notch and being engaged with the toe of the dogging leg. The latching bolt is bodily movable forward and rearward in parallelism as the cylinder is moved. When tongues such as 59, 59 are provided, these are bent forward into the slot .54, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. This prevents any possible yielding of the dogging leg of the cylinder to release the latching bolt therefrom. The attachment of the latching bolt to the cylinder by bending a portion of the latter as described results in simplicity of construction and reduces cost. It avoids the necessity for providing screws or rivets or other conventional means of attachmerit.

The latching bolt .56 has a forward extending annular flange 62 which extends substantially to the fastening plate 44. The latch-ing bolt serves "not only as a bolt, as will be described, but it also serves as a cover which conceals the rear of the housing and the greater part of the fastening plate. Preferably, the flange 62 of the latching bolt is provided with flats 63 and 64 at the bottom and top for a purpose to .be described.

Secured to the body of the case is a strike 65 which is suitably held in place as .for instance by means of nails or rivets 66. The strike can be a sheet metal plate, the upper portion of which is bent rearward and downward to form a strike hook 61 having an abutment facing away from the member to which the housing and cylinder are secured. As shown in Fig. 2, the abutment f the strike hook 6'! is at the bottom thereof and faces downward. It will be seen that the hook '61 latches with the inner wall of the flange 62 on the latching bolt to effect engagement. The strike preferably also has forward ofiset portions 68, '68 which form pockets for the reception of guides 1'0, 1.0 formed on the bottom of the fastening plate 44. The guides ill. serve to prevent any relative transverse movement between the cover and body of the case.

During assembly the tumblers 32, 32 are positioned in the upper tumbler recess 38 as already described, the positions of the cylinder being approximately 180 from the position shown in Figs. 3 and 10. To bring the parts into their locking positions as shown in the drawings, the key is inserted to withdraw the tumblers, and the cylinder and the latching bolt are then turned 180 and the key is withdrawn, the tumblers being then positioned in the lower tumbler recess 36. When the several parts are in the locking positions shown, the cover of the case is locked to the body.

The strike hook 6'! engages the flat 63 at the bot-- tom of the annular flange 62 of the latching bolt, thus preventing upward movement of the cover of the case. The lug 36 on the housing 14 is in close proximity to the helical front face of the annular groove 28 in the cylinder, and thus prevents any appreciable rearward movement of the cylinder and latching bolt to effect unlatching.

Unlocking can be effected by'inserting the key to withdraw the tumblers from the lower recess 36. Then the cylinder and the latching bolt can be turned 180 by means of the key, and the tumblers project into the upper recess 38 when the key is withdrawn. The lug 30 is then in the wider portion of the cylinder groove 28 and the cylinder and latching bolt are free for manual movement in the rearward direction. However, unless the cylinder and latching bolt are moved rearward, the cover of the case remains latched as the strike hook 61 is now in engagement with the flat 64 on the flange 62 of the latching bolt 56, the said fiat 64 having been moved to the bottom. Unlatching can be effected by manually moving the cylinder and latching bolt rearward in opposition to the spring 26 sufliciently to disengage the flange 62 from the hook 61.

After the case cover has been lifted relatching is automatically effected upon lowering the cover. The inclined face of the strike hook 61 cams the latching bolt 56 and the cylinder l6 in the rearward direction in opposition to the spring 26. As soon as the cover is in its lower position the spring moves the cylinder and latching bolt forward to cause latching.

When the cylinder is rotated by the key from the position in which it is longitudinally movable to the position in which it is longitudinally locked, it is normally in its forward position under the influence of the spring 26. However, if the spring should for any reason fail to hold the cylinder for- :ward, it would be positively moved forward by reason of the engagement of the lug 30 with the inclined or helical front cam face of the semiannular groove 28.

The strike 'hook 61 normally engages one or the other of the flats 63 and 64 on the flange 62. These flat-s .are closer to the axis of rotation than are the intervening portions of the flange 62. Therefore, during turning of the flange 62 any frictional bearing on the strike hook is substantially eliminated.

It will be seen that the cylinder has two rotatively different positions, in one of which it is locked not only against rotative movement but also against rearward movement which would effect unlatching. -In the other of the said rotatively different positions the cylinder is free for rearward and forward movement to effect unlatching and latching. The latching bolt is con- .nected with the cylinder to move when the cylinder is moved, the said latching bolt disengaging the strike when moved rearward and returning to strike engaging position when moved forward. Preferably and as shown, the cylinder can be locked against turning in either of the said rotatively different positions.

Fig. 13

Fig. 13 shows an alternative latching belt which can be substituted for the latching bolt 56. The alternative bolt has a main member 12, the peripheral portions of which are identical with the corresponding portions of the bolt 56. Instead of being directly engaged with the cylinder 56, the member i2 is indirectly engaged therewith through the medium of a spring plate 74. The member F2 is cut away at the center to receive the plate 74. The plate 14 has laterally extending portions 76, 16 which underlie and bear against the main member 12 and it has extending portions 18, 18 which also bear against the said main member. One end only of the spring plate i4 is connected by means of rivets 80, Bil to the member (2, and this allows relative resilient action.

The spring plate 14 has an aperture similar to the aperture 58 in the bolt 56 for receiving the flattened rear portion of the cylinder, but the spring plate has no rearward bent portion such as 6|]. A separate washer 96 is provided for holding the composite latching bolt 12, 14 in place. The washer 96 may be the same as that used in the alternative device shown in Figs. 14 to 18A, and it is shown in detail in Figs. 18 and 18A. The washer 96 has an aperture 98 similar in shape to the aperture 58 and it has a rearward bent portion 91 similar in function to the rearward bent portion 66 of the bolt 56. The washer 96 also has tongues I86 similar to the tongues 59, 59 of the bolt 56.

The composite latching bolt 12, 14 is applied to -bolt being thus prevented from turning.

and connected with the cylinder I6 in a manner similar to that already described in connection with the latching bolt 56. The composite latching bolt and the washer 96 are tilted rearward .and are put in place on the cylinder with the cylinder in its rearward position. Then the bolt and washer are brought to a perpendicular position and the dogging leg of the cylinder bent transversely, by means of a wedge, to cause the toe of the leg to engage the edges of the apertures in the plate I4 and in the washer 96. Then the tongues I00, I are bent forward into the slot 54 in the cylinder.

The operation is exactly as already described, except upon lowering the cover of the case to effect relatching. The member I2 is resiliently connected with the cylinder I6 by means of the spring plate I4, and this permits the lower edge of the member I2 to be cam-med inward and tilted by the strike hook 61 without necessarily forcing the cylinder rearward in opposition to the spring 26. Thus relatching may be effected without movement of the cylinder. This is particularly important when the cover of the case is lowered withthe cylinder in locked position as shown in Fig. 1. With the cylinder locked against .rearward movement, the latching bolt is engaged by the upper or reverse face of the strike and is tilted relatively to the cylinder and independently thereof so as to snap past the strike hook and into normal engagement therewith.

Figs. 14 to 184 An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 14 to 18A. The housing, cylinder and guard subassembly as shown in Fig. 14

is similar to the subassembly as shown in'Figs. 1 to 3 and repetition of the complete description is unnecessary. However, the housing and cylinder differ in some respects. The housing 82 differs from the housing I4 in that it is provided at jects to a slightly greater extent toward the rear,

so as to provide upper'and lower segments of a surface 88 which is annular when the dogging leg is bent as shown in Fig. 15. Rearward facing shoulders 89, 89 are provided adjacent the seg-- mental annular surface 88. The fastening plate 44 and the strike 65 are the same as already described.

A latching bolt 90 is provided having a circular "aperture 92 which is adapted to approximately fit the segments of the annular surface 88 at the rear of the cylinder when the latching bolt has been applied to the cylinder and when the dogging leg of the cylinder has been bent. The latching bolt 90 has parallel flat sides and it is provided with a forward extending flange 94. The parallel side portions of the flange 94 are entered in the notches 84, 84 of the housing 82, the latching A washer 96, as already described, is provided for holding the latching bolt 90 in place.

After the housing, cylinder and guard subassembly have been applied and have been secured by the fastenin plate 44, the latching bolt 90 and the washer 96 are applied to the rear portion of the cylinder, in a manner similar to that already described. The front face of the bolt 90 engages the shoulders 89, 89 on the cylinder. The

' cylinder is spread by means of a wedge inserted -'--in the slot, the dogging leg thereof below the slot beingbent downward in the manner already described so as to engage and hold the washer 96. The tongues I00, I00 are bent forward into the slot'in the cylinder.

It will be apparent that the operation of the lock shown in Figs. 14 to 18 is very similar to that of thelock shown in Figs. 1 to 12. The latching bolt is movable with the cylinder forward and rearward in parallelism. The most important difference is that the latching bolt 90 does not turn, the lower part of the flange 94 thereof remaining always at the bottom in position for engagement with the hook 61 of the strike 65.

/ Figs. 19 to 30 The alternative embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 19 to 30 is in many respects similar to that shown in Figs. 14 to 18, differing chiefly in the construction and mounting of the latching bolt so that it is pivotally movable. The housing, cylinder and guard subassembly is substantially the same as shown in Fig. 2, except that the rear flat portion of the cylinder is slightly longer.

The alternative latching bolt is shown in detail in Figs. 22, 23 and 24, and it is pivoted for tangular and which is provided with a forward extending flange I04 along all four sides thereof.

The central portion of the member I02 is cut away to receive a spring plate I06 similar in function to the spring plate I4 shown in Fig. 13. The

lower portion of the spring plate I06 is bent to extend through a slot near the bottom of the member I02 and the upper portion of theplate I06 is secured to the member I02 by a rivet at I08.

The spring plate I06 has an aperture IIO therein, and the rear portion of the cylinder H2 'is adapted to extend through the said aperture,

' being rotatable therein. The latching bolt is held ture I'I0. is applied and secured in place in the manner in place on the cylinder I I2 by means of a retaining washer II4 which is similar to the washer '96 shown in Figs. 18 and 18A except that it is bent to conform to an arc, as shown in Fig. 28.

A fastening plate I I6 is provided which is genferally similar to the fastening plate 44 shown in Fig. '7. The fastening plate II6 differs from the fastening plate 44 in that it is provided with ears H8, H8 which are bent rearward at right angles to the main body of the plate. The two j ears are similar and each of them is provided with an upward extending tongue I20 and with a rearward extending tongue I22. The upper portion of the flange I04 of the member I02 is provided with slots I24, I24 for receiving the upward extending tongues I20, I20 on the fasten-- {ing plate. The member I02 is also provided with tending tongues I22, I22 on the fastening plate.

notches I26,' I26 for receiving the rearward ex- During assembly the housing, cylinder and guard sub-assembly is applied to the cover of the case and is fastened thereto by the fastening plate I I6 in the manner already described. Then the latching bolt is engaged with the fastening plate so that the tongues I20, I20 extend through .the slots I24, I24 and so that the tongues I22, I22 extend through the notches I26, I26. With the latching bolt thus engaged with the tongues,

: it is swung downward so that the rear flat portion of the cylinder I I2 extends through the aper- Thereafter the retaining washer I I4 already described. When in place the front face 11 of the spring plate I06 engages shoulders on the cylinder similar to the shoulders 89, 89.

A strike I28 is provided which is similar to the strike 65, being provided with a hook I30 similar to the hook 61. Preferably, the hook I30 extends rearward to a greater extent than the hook 61.

Fig. shows the lock with the cylinder in its locked position. The tumblers are in the lower tumbler recess of the housing and the lug on the housing is in the narrower part of the groove 26 in the cylinder so that the cylinder cannot be pushed rearward.

By means of the key, the tumblers can be withdrawn from the lower recess in the housing and the cylinder can be turned through 180 to the position shown in Fig. 29. When the key is withdrawn the tumblers are in the upper recess in the housing as shown. The lug 30 on the housing is in the wider part of the groove 28 in the cylinder and the cylinder can be manually moved rearward to the position shown. When the cylinder H2 is moved rearward, the latching bolt moves about a transverse axis, that is, angularly I the cylinder.

The greater movement of the lower edge of the latching bolt makes it possible for the hook I30 on the strike to extend farther toward the rear as already mentioned, and it insures definite disengagement of the flange I04 from the said hook. The greater rearward extension of the hook I30 and the greater movement of the lower edge of the latching bolt provides greater assurance of latching and unlatching under unfavorable conditions, such as may be encountered when the body and cover of the case are out of exact register with each other.

The above-mentioned greater rearward movement of the lower edge of the latching bolt is not always necessary. When not necessary, the pivotal movement of the latching bolt has the advantage of requiring a smaller rearward movement of the cylinder. Any reduction in the amount of rearward movement of the cylinderbehind the front of the housing makes it possible for the manual movement of the cylinder to be more easily efiected.

It will be observed that the latching bolt I02, I06 is similar to the latching bolt 12, 14 shown in Fig. 13, and that it has the same function.

when the cover of the case is lowered with the cylinder in locked position. With the cylinder locked against rearward movement, the latching bolt is engaged by the upper or reverse face of the strike and is tilted relatively to the cylinder and independently thereof to snap past the strike hook and into normal engagement therewith, as shown in Fig. 30.

Figs. 31 to 42 repetitioni-s unnecessary.

fastening plate.

upper portion of the flange I64.

The housing and cylinder subassembl'y is ap plied to the cover I0 of the case as already described and the cylinder is then engaged and held in place by a fastening plate I36 shown in detail in Figs. 39 and 40. The fastening plate I36 is in many respects similar to the fastening plate 44 but diifers in important details. The fastening plate I36 has a slot I38 with opposite parallel edges and when the fastening plate is put in place the edges of the slot enter suitably positioned grooves I40, I40 formed in the sides of the housing I32 as shown in Fig. 34. The fastening plate I36 is provided adjacent the edges of the slot I38 with rearward bent flanges I42, I42 which engage the housing I32, as shown in Fig. 35. The fastening plate also has a rearward bent flange I43 at the bottom of the slot I38 for engaging the bottom of the housing. The fastening plate serves not only to prevent forward movement of the housing, but also to prevent rotative movement thereof.

Connected with the fastening plate I36 at the rear thereof are two similar but oppositely positioned latching bolts I44, I44, these being pivotally movable about longitudinal axes. The latching bolts are provided near their upper ends with apertures I46, I46 and the fastening plate is provided with integral rearward projections I48 which extend into the apertures I46, I46. Thus the projections I48, I48 serve as longitudinal pivot pins for the latching bolts.

Suitably secured to the body I2 of the case is a strike I50 having a rearward extending flange I52. The lower face of the'flange I52 constitutes an abutment facing away from the member to which the housing and cylinder are secured. The latching bolts I44 are provided with hooks I54, I54 which are adapted to engage with the flange I52 at the ends thereof when the cover is in closed position as shown in Figs. 31, 32 and 33. The lower faces of the hooks I54, I54 are beveled as shown so that the latching bolts may be cammed outward by the flange I52 While the cover is being moved to closed position. Leaf springs I56, I56 are carried by the latching bolts I44, I44 and these engage with rearward bent flanges I51, I57 on the The springs serve to bias the bolts toward their inner latching positions.

The cylinder I34 is provided near its rear end with an annular groove I56, the said groove having an inclined or beveled face at the front portion thereof. The latching bolts I44, I44 are provided with lugs I60, I60 which are positioned to extend into the groove as shown in Fig. 35 when the latching bolts are in their latching positions.

A rear lock cover I62 is provided as shown in detail in Figs. 36 to 38, the said cover serving to hold the latching bolts in place. This cover is generally circular and it has a forward extending flange I 64 which extends along the entire periphery thereof. The cover has a central aperture I66 for receiving the rear end of the cylinder I34. In order that the cover may be held in place the fastening plate is provided with a downwardextending tongue I68 adapted to extend through a ;slot I70 in the bottom of the flange I64 and is pro vided with two upward extending tongues I72, I12 adapted to extend through slots I74, I14 in the In order to permit assembly, the upper portion of the cover I62 and the upper portion of the flange I64 initially extend upward beyond the circle which defines the remainder of the cover. In assembling the lock,- the housing and cylinder subassembly are applied to the cover as described and are fastened bythe fastening plate I36.. Then the latching bolts I44 are put in place'on the projections I48, I48 and the springs I56, I56 are engaged with the flanges I51, I51. Thereafter the cover is applied. In applying the cover it is first put in place with the tongue I68 extending into the slot I10, the cover being initially tilted toward the rear. With the tongue I68 entered in the slot I10, the cover is then swung forward so that the tongues I12, I12 are in register with the slots I14, I14. With the tongues in register with the slot the upper portion of the cover and of the flange is forced radially inward by a suitable tool or device so that the cover becomes circular in outline.

This causes the tongues I12, I12 to be positioned in the slots I14, I14, the cover thus being held in place by the fastening plate. The cover is provided with notches I16, I16 to provide clearance for the latching bolts.

Figs. 31 to 35 show the parts of the lockin their locking positions. The tumblers are in the lower tumbler recess of the housing and the lug 30 on the housing is in the narrower part of the groove 28 in the cylinder so that the cylinder cannot be pushed rearward. The lugs I60, I60 on the latching bolts I44, I44 are in the groove I58 of the cylinder. The springs I56, I56 hold the latching bolts in their inner latching positions.

By means of the key the tumblers can be withdrawn from the lower recess in the housing and the cylinder can be turned through 180 to the position shown in Fig. 41. When the key is withdrawn the tumblers are in the upper recess in the housing and the lug 30 on the housing is in the wider part of the groove 28 in the cylinzder. The cylinder is then free so that it can be manually moved rearward to the position shown. As the cylinder is moved rearward the inclined or cam surface at the front of the annular groove I58 in the cylinder engages the lugs I60, I60 on the latching-bolts to swing the said bolts outward to the positions shown in Fig. 42. The hooks I54 on the latching bolts are thus moved outward sufliciently to disengage the flange I52 on the strike and unlatching is effected so that the cover of the case can be opened. After opening, the cylinder I34 is released to' move to it's forward position, the springs I56, I56 then moving the latching bolts inward to the positions shown in Fig. 35. When the cover of the case is closed the inclined or beveled surfaces on the -hooks force the latching bolts apart sufficiently to permit automatic relatching.

What I claim is: 1. In a device for latching or looking two separable members such as the cover and body of a carrying case, the combination of a housing adapted to extend longitudinally through an aperture in one member in a direction perpendicular to the direction of separation, a strike adapted to be secured to the rear face of the other member and provided with an abutment facing away from the first said member, a cylinder longitudinally movable within the housing and biased in the forward direction and manually -'-'movab1e in the rearward direction, the said cylin- -der being also rotatable and adapted to occupy either of two rotatively different positions, interengageable elements on the housing and on the cylinder and dependent upon the rotatively different positions of the cylinder for preventing manual rearward movement thereof when in one. of the said positions which elements are inoperative to prevent such rearward movement when the cylinder is in the other of the said Lpositions, key controlled locking means for preventing rotative movement of the cylinder out of the position in which rearward movement is prevented, and a relatively movable latching bolt movable .by the cylinder. and separate from the said interengageable elements which bolt is adapted to engage the abutment of the strike to prevent separation of the members, the said latching bolt being in strike engaging position when the cylinder is forward and being movable out of such position upon rearward movement of the cylinder. I

2. In a device for latching or looking two separable members such as the cover and body of a carrying case, the combination of a housing adapted to extend longitudinally through an aperture in one member in a direction perpendicular to the direction of separation, a strike adapted to be secured to the rear face of the other member and provided with an abutment facing away from the first said member, a cylinder longitudinally movable within the housing and biased in the forward direction and manually movable in the rearward direction, the said cylinder being also rotatable and adapted to occupy either of two rotatively different positions and the said cylinder having a circumferentially extending groove with a rear face perpendicular to the axis and with a substantially helical front face, a lug on the housing projecting into the groove in the cylinder andnormally engaging the rear face thereof, the said lug being in close proximity to the helical front face of the groove to prevent appreciable manual rearward movement of the cylinder when the 7 cylinder is in one of the said rotatively different positions and the said lug beingseparated from the said front face to permit such rearward movement when the cylinder is in the other of the said rotatively different positions, key con trolled locking means for preventing rotative movement of the cylinder out of the position in which the lug is in engagement with the front face of the groove, and a relatively movable latching bolt associated with the cylinder and adapted to engagev the abutment of the strike to prevent separation of the members, the said latching bolt being in strike engaging position when the cylinder is forward and being movable out of such position upon manual rearward movement of the cylinder.

- 3. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the cylinder is provided with a longitudinal groove extending rearward from the circumferentially extending groove and providing clearance for the lug onthe housing'when the cylinder is moved rearward in the housing during assembly.

4. A device as set forthv in claim 2, wherein .the housing is provided with an annular groove surrounding the cylinder and registering in part with the circumferentially extending groove in :the cylinder, and wherein a helical spring is located in the said annular groove in the housing for. biasing the cylinder in the forward direction.

5. In a device for latching or locking two separable members such as the cover and body of a carrying case, the combination of a housing adapted to extend longitudinally through an adjacent the rear face of the housing carrying member, a fastening plate adapted .to be secured 'ito the housing carrying member and having a of the plate at the sides of the slot entered in the grooves in the housing to hold the housing in place, a strike adapted to be secured to the rear face of the other member and provided with an abutment facing away from the first said member, a cylinder longitudinally movable within the housing and biased in the forward direction and manually movable in the rearward direction, the said. cylinder being also rotatable and adapted to occupy either of two rotatively difierent positions, means dependent upon the rotatively different positions of the cylinder for preventing manual rearward movement thereof when in one of the said positions which means is inoperative toprcvent such rearward movement when the cylinder is in the other of the said positions, key controlled locking means for preventing rotative movement of the cylinder out of the position in which rearward movement is prevented, and a relatively movable latching bolt associated with the cylinder and adapted to engage the abutment of the strike to prevent separation of the members, the saidlatching bolt being in strike engaging position when the cylinder is forward and being movable out of such position upon rearward movement of the cylinder.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the grooves in the housing have parallel inner faces which are engaged by the edges of the slot in the fastening plate to prevent rotative movement of the housing.

7. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the fastening plate has rearward. offset portions at the sides of the slot with the extent of ofiset gradually increasing from the top of the slot to approximately the point of final engagement with the cylinder so as to provide a wedging action to force the housing rearward as the fastening plate is put in place.

8. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the fastening plate has downward projecting guides and wherein the strike has pockets for receiving and approximately fitting the guides to prevent excessive transverse relative movements.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a housing adapted to be attached to one of two relatively separable members, a strike adapted to be attached to the other of the two members, a cylinder longitudinally movable within the housing, a longitudinal headed pivot pin on the housing at the front thereof, a cover for the front of the lock pivotally mounted on the pin adjacent the head, and a coil spring within the housing and surrounding the cylinder, "the said spring being connected at its rear end with the rear portion of the pivot pin to bias it rearward and apply friction to the cover of the said head and the said spring engaging at its front end with the cylinder to bias it in the forward direction,

and a'latching bolt associated with the cylinder and movable out of strike engaging position when the cylinder is moved rearward and into strike engaging position when the cylinder is moved forward.

10. In a device for latching or looking two separable members such as the cover and body of a carrying case, the combination of a housing adapted to extend longitudinally through an aperture in one member in a direction perpendicular to the direction of separation, a strike. adapted 'to be secured to the rear face of the other member and provided with an abutment facing away from the first said member, a cylinder longitudinally movable within the housing and biased:

EJI

in the forward direction and manually movable in the rearward direction whichv cylinder is also rotatable and adapted to occupy either of two rotatively different positions and which cylinder has. its rear portion longitudinally slotted to provide a dogging leg, a latching bolt comprising a forward extending flange engageable with the strike and having an aperture into which the rear portion of the cylinder extends with the dogging leg thereof bent to connect the plate with the cylinder, the said latching bolt being movable forward and rearward with the cylinder and the flange of the said bolt when forward being adapted to engage the strike to prevent separation of the members and the said flange thereof when rearward being out of strike engaging position to permit separation of the members, means dependent upon the rotatively different positions of the cylinder for preventing manual rearward movement thereof when in one of the said positions which means is inoperative to prevent such rearward movement when the cylinder is in the other of the said positions, and key controlled locking means for preventing rotative movement of the cylinder out of the position in which rearward movement is prevented.

11. A device as set forth inclaim 10', wherein lugs are provided in association with the latching bolt adjacent the rear portion of the cylinder, the said lugs being bent so as to lie in the slot in the cylinder to hold the dogging leg in its bent bolt retaining position.

12. In a device for latching or looking two separable members such as the cover and body of a carrying case, the combination of a housing adapted to extend longitudinally through an aperture in one member in a direction perpendicular to the direction of separation, a strike adapted to be secured to the rear face of the other member and provided with an abutment facing away from the first said member, a cylinder longitudinally movable within the housing and biased in the forward direction and manually movable in the rearward direction, the said cylinder being also rotatable and adapted to occupy either of two rotatively different positions, means dependent upon the rotatively different positions of the cylinder for preventing manual rearward movement thereof when in one of the said positions which means is inoperative to prevent such rearward movement when the cylinder is in the other of the said positions, key controlled locking means for preventing rotative movement of the cylinder out of the position in which rearward movement is prevented, and a latching bolt carried by the cylinder at the rear end thereof and bodily movable forward and rearward in parallelism as the cylinder is moved, the said latching bolt when forward being adapted to engage the strike to prevent separation of the members and the said latching bolt when rearward being out of strike engaging position to permit separation of the members.

13. A device as set forth in claim 12, wherein the latching bolt comprises a substantially flat plate having an aperture therein and having a forward extending flange engageable with the strike, and wherein the rear portion of the cylinder extends into the aperture in the plate and is slotted and spread to connect the plate with the cylinder.

14. In a device for latching or looking two separable members such as the cover and body of a carrying case, the combination of a housing adapted to extend longitudinally through an 17 aperture in one member in a direction perpendicularto the direction of separation, a strike adapted. to be secured to the rear face of the other member and provided with an abutment facing away from the first said member, a cylinder longitudinally movable within the housing and biased in the forward direction and manually movable in the rearward direction, the said cylinder being. also rotatable and adapted to occupy either of two rotatively different positions, means dependent upon the rotatively different positions of the cylinder for preventing manual rearward movement thereof when in one of the said positions which means is inoperativeto prevent such rearward movement when the cylinder is in the other of the said positions, key controlled locking means for preventing rotative movement of the cylinder out of the position in which rearward movement is prevented, and a latching bolt carried by the cylinder at the rear end thereof and movable with the cylinder rotatively and also bodily forward and rearward, the said latching bolt when forward and in either of its rotatively different positions being adapted to engage the strike to prevent separation of the members and the said latching bolt when rearward being out of strike engaging position to permit separation of the members.

. 15. A device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the latching bolt is substantially circular and has a forward extending peripheral flange engageable with the strike, the said peripheral flange providing constant engaging relationship with the strike during rotative movement of the cylinder and latching bolt.

16. A device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the latching bolt is substantially circular and has a forward extending peripheral flange engageable with the strike, and wherein the flange has two oppositely positioned strike engaging portions which are fiat.

17. A device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the bolt has a noncircular aperture therein, and wherein the rear portion of the cylinder extends into the said aperture and is shaped to fit it and cause rotative movement of the bolt with the cylinder, the said rear portion of the cylinder being slotted and spread to engage the bolt and hold it in place on the cylinder.

18. A device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the bolt has a noncircular aperture therein, wherein the rear portion of the cylinder extends into the said aperture and is shaped to fit it and cause rotative movement of the bolt with the cylinder, the said rear portion of the cylinder being slotted and spread to engage the bolt and hold it in place on the cylinder, and wherein lugs are provided in association with the latching bolt adjacent the rear portion of the cylinder, the said lugs being bent so as to lie in the slot in the cylinder to hold the dogging leg in a fixed bolt retaining position. p

19. In a device for latching or locking two separable members such as the cover and body of a carrying case, the combination of a housing adapted to extend longitudinally through an aperture in one member in a direction perpendicular to the direction of separation, a strike adapted to be secured to the rear face of the other member and provided with an abutment facing away from the first said member, a cylinder longitudinally movable within the housing and biased in theforward direction and manually movable in the rearward direction, the said cylinder being also rotatable and adapted to occupy either of two rotatively different positions, means dependent upon thexrotatively different positions of the cylinder for preventing manual rearward movement thereof when in one of the said positions which means is inoperative to prevent such rearward movement when the cylinder is in the other of the said positions, key controlled locking means for preventing rotative movement of the cylinder out of the position in which rearward movement is prevented, alatching bolt connected with, the cylinder for forward and rearward movement therewith, the said latchin bolt when forward being adapted to engage the strike to prevent separation of the members and the said latching bolt when rearward being out of strike engaging position to permit separation of the members, and a resilient connection between the cylinder and the latching bolt permitting the latter to tilt relatively to the former 'and independently thereof when engaged with the reverse v face of the strike.

20. In a device for latching or looking two separable members such as the cover and body of a carrying case, the combination. of a housing adapted to extend longitudinally through an aperture in one member in'a direction perpendicular to the direction of separation, a strike adapted to be secured to the rear face of the other member andflpro'vided with an abutment facing away from the first said member, a cylinder longitudinally movable within the housing and biased in the forward direction and manually movable in the rearward direction, the said cylinder being also rotatable and adapted to occupy either of two rotatively different positions, means dependent upon the rotatively difierent positions of the cylinder for preventing manual rearward movement thereof when in one of the said positions which means is inoperative to prevent such rearward movement when the cylinder is in the other of the said positions, key controlled locking means for preventing rotative movement of the cylinder out of the position in which rearward movement is prevented, a latching bolt carried by the cylinder at the rear end thereof and movable with the cylinder rotatively and also bodily forward and rearward, the said latching bolt when forward being adapted to engage the strike to prevent separation of the members and the said latching bolt when rearward being out of strike engaging position to permit separation of the members, and a resilient connection between the cylinder and the latching bolt permitting the latter t tilt relatively to the former when engaged with the reverse face of the strike.

21. In a device for latching or looking two separable members such as the cover and body of a carrying case, the combination of a housing adapted to extend longitudinally through an aperture in one member in a direction perpendicular to the direction of separation, a strike adapted to be secured to the rear face of the other member and provided with an abutment facing away from the first said member, a cylinder longitudi nally movable within the housing and biased in the forward direction and manually movable in the rearward direction, the said cylinder being also rotatable and adapted to occupy either of two rotatively different positions, means dependent upon the rotatively different positions of the cylinder for preventing manual rearward movement thereof when in one of the said positions which means'is inoperative to prevent such rearward movement when the cylinder is in the other of the said positions, key controlled locking means for preventing rotative movement of the cylinder out of the position in which rearward movement is prevented, a latching bolt connected with the cylinder for forward and rearward movement as the cylinder is moved, the said latching bolt when forward being adapted to engage the strike to prevent separation of the members and the said latching bolt when rearward being out of strike engaging position to permit separation of the members, and means for preventing rotative movement of the latching bolt with the cylinder.

22. A device as set forth in claim 21, wherein the latching bolt has an aperture therein for receiving the rear portion of the cylinder, wherein an apertured washer is provided behind the bolt for also receiving the rear portion of the cylinder, and wherein the said rear portion of the cylinder is slotted and spread to connect the washer with the cylinder.

23. In a device for latching or locking two separable members such as the cover and body of a carrying case, the combination of a housing adapted to extend longitudinally through an aperture in one member in a direction perpendicular to the direction of separation, a strike positions of the cylinder for preventing manual rearward movement thereof when in one of the said positions which means is inoperative to prevent such rearward movement when the cylinder is in the other of the said positions, key

controlled locking means for preventing rotative -'l:

movement of the cylinder out of the position in which rearward movement is prevented, a latching bolt adapted to be connected with the. housing carrying member for pivotal movement, the

said bolt when pivotally moved in one direction being in position to engage the strike to prevent separation of the members and the said bolt when pivotally moved in the opposite direction being out of strike engaging position to permit separation of the members, and means enabling the vi cylinder upon rearward movement to cause pivotal movement of the bolt out of strike engaging position and upon forward movement to cause pivotal movement of the bolt into strike engaging position.

24. A device as set forth in claim 23, wherein a fastening plate is provided for holding the housing in place on the member with which it is engaged, and wherein the latching bolt is pivotally connected to the fastening plate.

25. In a device for latching or looking two separable members such as the cover and body of a carrying case, the combination of a housing adapted to extend longitudinally through an aperture in one member in a direction perpendicular to the direction of separation, a strike adapted to be secured to the rear face of the other member and provided with an abutment facing away from the first said member, a cylinder longitudinally movable within the housing and biased in the forward direction and manually movable in the rearward direction, the said cylinder being also rotatable and adapted to occupy either of two rotatively different positions, means dependent upon the rotatively different positions of the cylinder for preventing'manual rearward movement thereof when in one of the said positions which means is inoperative to prevent such rearward movement when the cylinder is in the other of the said positions, key controlled locking means for preventing rotative movement of the cylinder out of the position in which rearward movement is prevented, a latching bolt adapted to be connected with the housing carrying member for pivotal movement about a transverse pivotal axis, and means connecting the cylinder with the latching bolt to cause forward and rearward pivotal movement of the bolt as the cylinder is moved, the said latching bolt when forward being adapted to engage the strike to prevent separation of the members and the said latching bolt when rearward being out of strike engaging position to permit separation of the members.

26. A device as set forth in claim 25, wherein a fastening plate is provided for holding the housing in place on the member with which it is engaged, and wherein the latching bolt is pivotally connected to the fastening plate.

27. A device as set forth in claim 25, wherein there is a resilient connection between the cylinder and the latching bolt permitting the latter to tilt relatively to the former and independently thereof when engaged with the reverse face of the strike.

28. In a device for latching or looking two separable members such as the cover and body of a carrying case, the combination of a housing adapted to extend longitudinally through an aperture in one member in a direction perpendicular to the direction of separation, a strike adapted to be secured to the rear face of the other member and provided with an abutment facing away from the first said member, a cylinder longitudinally movable within the housing and biased in the forward direction and manually movable in the rearward direction, the said cylinder being also rotatable and adapted to occupy either of two rotatively different positions, means dependent upon the rotatively different positions of the cylinder for preventing manual rearward movement thereof when in one of the said positions which means is inoperative to prevent such rearward movement when the cylinder is in the other of the said positions, key controlled locking means for preventing rotative movement of the cylinder out of the position in which rearward movement is prevented, a latching bolt adapted to be connected with the housing carry ing member for pivotal movement inward and outward about a longitudinal axis, the said bolt when moved inward being in position to engage the strike to prevent separation of the members and the said bolt when moved outward being out of strike engaging position to permit separation of the members, and means on the rear portion of the cylinder for causing pivotal outward movement of the bolt as the cylinder is moved rearward and for causing pivotal inward movement or the bolt as the cylinder is moved forward.

29. A device as set forth in claim 28, wherein a fastening plate is provided for holding the housing in place on the member with which it is portion of the cylinder, and wherein the cylinder has an annular groove for receiving the lugs, the 15 2 30 0 22 said groove having an inclined front face which cams the bolts outward in opposite directions when the cylinder is moved rearward.

GUNNAR E. SWANSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Number Name Date 1,328,106 Stone Jan. 13, 1920 1,439,038 Teich Dec. 19, 1922 1,951,418 Jacobi Mar. 20, 1934 Lach Dec. 22, 1942 

